FLY FISHING – CUBA, ZAPATA

Great saltwater fly fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon in the Fishmaster destination in Cuba in Zapata Peninsula. We will book the entire Perola yacht exclusively for our Fishmaster group of 6 persons. Jouni Rauha will work as a host for this saltwater fly fishing trip. Zapata archipelago is considered to be an excellent tropical fly fishing destination located in southern coast of Cuba.

CUBA

Aside from its fascinating culture and Caribbean hospitality, Cuba has long been synonymous with some of the finest saltwater fly fishing in the world. For the last decades of fishing operation has brought together the most exclusive areas of the country combined with a high level of service in what are logistically complex environments.

ZAPATA

The Ciénaga de Zapata, located in Matanzas Province, is considered the best-preserved wetland system in the Caribbean islands. To further protect these wetlands, the Cuban government submitted a proposal to UNESCO in 2003 to have the Ciénaga de Zapata declared a World Heritage Site. All the waters surrounding this protected Zapata area will be your fly fishing zone for the week. Imagine the pristine environment you’ll be fishing in, and rest assured that we are committed to continuing our efforts to protect this unique marine ecosystem.

FLY FISHING

When it comes to fly fishing, the Perola Yacht is ideally positioned in our exclusive Zapata fly fishing zone. Zapata is an outstanding location for producing Grand Slams and Super Grand Slams, in part because the permit fishing is consistently so good. Zapata area regularly produce big permit for anglers and we don’t know of too many other places that boast the number of weekly Grand Slams that Zapata do.

The key to a successful saltwater fly fishing trip lies in fishing the tides. Since you’ll be staying on the flats throughout the week, you can strategically choose your fishing spots based on the species you’re targeting. For instance, it’s well-known that an incoming tide is ideal for spotting bonefish as they push into the flats.

This huge Zapata area consists of several different types of flats that can be waded and fished from special boats – skiffs. The fishing season is long and fishing can be done with single hand fly rod. Tarpon, bonefish, permit, jacks and big barracudas are plentiful. Local fishing guide will take you by boat to a range of interesting and challenging fishing locations and show where and when to cast. The guides know the local waters intimately and speak well English.

We book the entire Perola yacht exclusively for our Fishmaster group of 6 persons. The Perola yacht has 5 cabins and 3 fishing boats (skiffs). On the Zapata trip, the Fishmaster group has 4 places available for fishermen who have their own cabins on the yacht (1 person/cabin) and shared fishing boats (2 persons/skiff). On the Fishmaster trip, the group has 2 places available for fishermen who have shared cabins on the yacht (2 persons/cabin) and shared fishing boats (2 persons/skiff).

FLY FISHING TACKLE

We recommend 9 feet long 7 or 8 weight fly rod is good for bonefish and one 9 weight for permit and 10-11 weight for tarpon. High-performance reels with a good brake system are required, capable of holding 200-250 yards of 20-pound backing. We recommend weight forward tropical floating fly lines for bonefish and permit.

For bonefish, a 270-330 cm long tapered fluorocarbon leader with a tip thickness of 0.30-0.33 mm is recommended. For permit, a 300-390 cm long tapered fluorocardon leader with a tip thickness of 0.33-0.36 mm is recommended. For tarpon fly fishing, fast sinking line is recommended in deep channels, intermediate line on flats and floating line on the edges of mangrove islands. For tarpon fishing, a rod-length 60-80 lbs level fluorocarbon leader is suitable.

FLIES

Good bonefish flies are for example Mantis shrimp, Crazy Charlie, Bonefish Special and small crabs tied on hooks 4 or 6, sand and light-brown. Permit files: Avalon fly, Rag Head Crab, Brown Special, Velcro Crab and Del´s Merkin tied on hooks 2 and 4. Flies for tarpon and snook: streamers, deceivers on hooks 1/0-3/0 in colours brown and orange, black and yellow, orange and yellow, olive and white, Black Death and Purple Death.

ACCOMODATION

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our luxury yacht, The Perola, as it takes you to the most remote and untouched flats of the Zapata Peninsula. Designed for the ultimate fly fishing experience, The Perola is ideal for groups of up to six anglers, offering both comfort and style.

Accommodations: Below deck, you’ll find five spacious, air-conditioned cabins, each thoughtfully equipped with ample storage space. Most cabins feature private baths with excellent showers and plenty of hot water, ensuring a comfortable stay after a day on the water. The guests will be accommodated in air conditioned cabins 1-2 persons per cabin in well equipped Perola yacht, close the fishing spots. All meals in the yacht are included in price.

The Perola boasts an impressive design with polished hardwood floors and elegant teak paneling. Circular stairways lead you either to the cozy cabins below or to the open-air dining area on the top deck. The top deck is covered, providing shade and a constant sea breeze, creating a cool and insect-free environment. In harsher winds or inclement weather, clear plastic side coverings offer additional protection.

After a day of fishing, unwind in one of the comfortable rope hammocks, perfectly positioned to catch the afternoon breeze. For those seeking indoor comfort, the main deck features a full-sized, air-conditioned salon with plush couches—perfect for relaxing with a drink. Fly tiers will appreciate the full-sized table, making it easy to prepare for the next day’s adventure.

The cuisine aboard Perola is a delightful blend of gourmet simplicity. Freshly caught fish of the day forms the centerpiece of many meals, complemented by crisp salads made from fresh vegetables and a variety of fruits. Throughout the week, you’ll also enjoy succulent pork and chicken entrees, fresh sashimi, and Italian style pizzas as appetizers. To enhance your dining experience, our skilled bartenders prepare some of the finest drinks like Daiquiris, Cuba Libres and Mojitos.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Hosted Fishmaster fly fishing trip. Fishing trips to Zapata will be arranged during the fishing season. Anglers take a flight to Havana international airport in Cuba. We are able to offer this program as a Saturday to Saturday week. Clients will board the yacht in the Zapesca area 3 hours south of Havana on Saturday and navigate 2-3 hours to Zapata and fish 6 days from Sunday morning through Friday afternoon. On Friday afternoon about 14-17 the Perola mothership will return to Zapesca where clients will stay one more night in yacht and disembark on Saturday morning to make an afternoon or evening flight out from the Havana airport.

Price: 7980 eur/ person – 2 persons/cabin and 2 persons/skiff – 2 anglers
Trip length: 6 fishing days/7 nights in Zapata
Group size: 1 host + 5 persons = 6 anglers
Fishing trip includes: Accomodation in Perola Yacht, Meals in Yacht, Alcohol and soft drinks in yacht, Fishing licenses, Fly fishing, Guiding, Boat transports
Fishing trip excludes: Hotel night in Havana, Taxi and meals in Havana, Gratuities for fishing guide (300 eur/angler/shared skiff), Gratuities for staff (150 eur/angler), Conservation fee (200 eur/angler), e-Visa
Species: Tarpon, Permit, Snook, Bonefish, Jack Crevalle, Barracuda, Snapper
Fishing season: 1.1-31.12.